Friday, June 8, 2012

Rafael Nadal defeated David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the French Open final.

"I probably played my best match here at Roland Garros this year," said Nadal. "I am sorry for David to lose like this. He is one of my best friends on the tour and one of the best claycourters. It was a fantastic match for me and I am so happy to be in another final at Roland Garros."

"I think you cannot expect to win a semifinal like this against one of the best players of the world," Nadal added.

Ferrer opened well with a love service game and he more than held his own in the early exchanges. He set up the first two break points of the match in the fourth game, but Nadal saved then and then broke him to love in the following game.

Two games later Nadal produced another love break to take a 5-2 lead and then served out the set.
In the second set was much the same with Nadal at one point winning a marathon rally during which he hit one shot sitting on the court after losing his footing.

Nadal secured a third break of serve to lead 4-1 after which the heavens opened to give Ferrer some respite from the Nadal assault.

Play resumed 55 minutes later and Nadal wasted no time in going two sets up with two holds of serve.

Ferrer's second double fault of the match opened the way for Nadal to break serve again at the start of the third set and Ferrer was left with a mountain to climb.

Rafa swept into the final for the seventh time in eight years on the back of his 51st match win.

"He plays better than me all the time," Ferrer said. "It's difficult to say something, no? He was better, and he had a very good match."